C*C7  _>  / 


A 

SERMON, 

PRKACHKD  BEFORE  THB 

BOARD  OF  DIRECTORS 

OF  THE 

DOMESTIC  AND  FOREIGN  MISSIONARY  SOCIETY 

OF  THE 

PROTESTANT  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH 

IN  TH* 

UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA, 

IN 

ST.  JAMES’  C’  7RCH,  PHILADELPHIA, 

ON 

TUESDAY,  MAY  13,  1838. 

BY  J.  M.  WAIN  WRIGHT,  D.  D. 

Rector  of  Grace  Church,  New- York. 


PUBLISHED  AT  THE  REQUEST  OF  THE  BOARD. 


NEW-YORK : 

PRINTED  BY  J.  SEYMOUR,  JOHN-STREET. 

1828. 


1 


♦ 


***’ 


■ V ' ■ 

* v 5| 

* fl 

1 


§ 


i 


•*  *,  • i 


. Jt’ 


SERMON 


Ecclesiastes  xi.  1,2. 

Cast  thy  bread  upon  the  waters  : for  thou  shalt  find  it  after 
many  days. 

Give  a portion  to  seven,  and  also  to  eight ; for  thou  Jcnowest  not 
what  evil  shall  be  upon  the  earth. 

There  is  a striking  analogy  between  the  spiritual  condition  of 
man-  and  his  wants  and  infirmities  as  a corporeal  being.  This  ana- 
logy is  the  source  of  very  much  of  the  figurative  language  of  the 
sacred  volume.  To  be  poor,  and  blind,  and  naked,  is  to  be  desti- 
tute of  the  knowledge,  the  consolations,  and  saving  faith  of  the 
gospel.  To  be  hungry  and  thirsty,  is  anxiously  to  desire  these  in- 
valuable privileges,  and  earnestly  to  seek  for  their  attainment. 

Upon  such  authority  I venture  to  accommodate  the  words  of  my 
text  to  the  interesting  subject-  which  you  expect  will  be  presented 
to  vour  notice  on  the  present  occasion.  The  Royal  Preacher  un- 
doubtedly had  reference  to  the  obligation  and  the  advantage  of  reliev- 
ing the  temporal  wants  of  our  fellow-creatures,  but  we  may,  I think, 
discover  in  the  same  words  an  exhortation  and  an  encouragement 
to  alleviate  their  more  urgent  and  more  universal  spiritual  neces- 
sities.— The  bread  op  life  we  are  to  cast  unsparingly  and  exten- 
sively upon  the  wide  waters  of  this  world’s  sinfulness  and  igno- 
rance ; we  are  not  to  regard  it  as  lost  or  unprofitably  spent  because 
we  do  not  instantly  behold  its  good  effects  ; we  are  to  have  confi- 
dence in  the  Divine  promise,  that  after  many  days  we  shall  most 
assuredly  find  it,  in  its  blessed  influences  upon  the  perishing  nations. 
According  to  the  measure  with  which  God  hath  favoured  us,  we 
are  to  give  a portion  of  our  spiritual  privileges  to  seven,  and  also 


4 


to  eight ; for  we  know  not  what  circumstances  may  be  upon  th<r 
earth,  that  shall  cause  our  Christian  benevolence  to  redound  to  our 
own  future  advantage. 

The  words  of  the  text  thus  applied,  present  to  you,  my  brethren, 
the  outline  of  a subject  upon  which  I enter  with  a deep  sense  of 
its  importance,  and  with  an  unfeigned  distrust  of  my  ability  to 
treat  it  in  a suitable  manner,  but  with  devout  reliance  upon  the  as- 
sistance of  that  Spirit  without  whom  nothing  is  either  strong  or  holy. 
May  he,  who  inspired  prophets  to  foretell  the  future  glories  of  the 
millennial  church,  who  gave  tongues  of  fire  and  hearts  of  zeal  to 
apostolic  men  to  proclaim,  in  every  language,  the  unsearchable 
riches  of  Christ ; who  is  the  teacher  of  all  spiritual  knowledge, 
the  author  of  all  good  desires,  and  profitable  labours  ; may  he  now 
be  present  with  us,  and  so  strengthen  the  preacher,  and  enlighten 
the  minds  and  soften  the  hearts  of  the  hearers,  that  we  may  all  go 
from  hence,  more  faithful  subjects  of  King  Messiah,  more  con- 
vinced of  the  blessings  of  his  reign  on  earth,  more  resolutely  de- 
termined to  extend  the  borders  of  his  empire. 

Our  attention  then  is  to  be  directed  towards  the  duty  of  sending 
forth  the  Gospel  of  Christ,  as  widely  as  possible,  even  till  it  reaches 
the  ends  of  the  earth,  and  penetrates  every  desert  place  upon  its 
wide  circumference.  Cast  thy  bread  upon  the  waters.  The 
mighty  ocean  covers  much  the  largest  portion  of  this  world  on 
which  wre  dwell  ; it  can  bear  about  with  the  greatest  facility,  and 
rapidity,  and  universality  the  treasures  that  are  entrusted  to  it  ; it 
encircles  every  island,  washes  the  shores  of  every  continent,  and 
communicates  with  their  deepest  recesses  by  rivers  and  bays,  its 
majestic  arms.  Here  we  find  an  illustration  of  the  anticipations 
we  are  taught  to  indulge  in  regard  to  the  extent  of  Christ’s  king- 
dom, and  an  amplification  of  the  words  of  prophecy,  that  “ the 
knowledge  of  the  Lord  shall  fill  the  earth  as  the  waters  cover  the 
sea.”  Here  also  we  find  the  only  boundaries  which  are  to  limit 
our  thoughts  and  labours  in  the  sublime  cause  of  missions.  The 
gospel  is  not  to  be  restricted  to  one  nation,  or  kindred,  or  people, 
— it  is  destined  in  its  sure  and  irresistible  progress  to  reach  and 
pervade  all.  To  what  extent,  as  regards  individuals,  the  kingdoms 
of  this  world  are  to  become  the  kingdoms  of  our  Lord  and  of  his 
Christ,  whether  every  living  and  accountable  creature,  in  any  one 
future  age,  will  be  brought  to  accept  the  offered  terms  of  salvation, 
we  know  not  ; but  of  this  we  are  assured,  that  God  designs  the 
gospel  to  be  preached  to  all,  and  has  appointed  a period  in  the  du- 


5 


ration  of  the  world  when  every  intelligent  being,  from  the  greatest 
to  the  least,  shall  have  the  opportunity  of  knowing  the  truth  as  it 
is  in  Jesus.  Where  then  are  we  Christians  to  limit  our  prayers, 
our  projects,  and  our  exertions  ? We  do  not  confine  our  prayers, 
— we  daily  beseecli  our  Almighty  Father  that  his  kingdom  may 
come,  and  his  will  be  done  on  earth  even  as  it  is  in  heaven.  In 
heaven  his  will  is  universally  performed,  and  his  name  adored  by 
every  blessed  inhabitant  there.  Our  prayers  then  reach  forth  in 
, aspirations  after  a like  universal  exhibition  of  obedience  and  love 
here  below.  But  what  is  the  extent  of  our  projects  and  our  exer- 
tions ? I fear  that  we  shall  discover  them  to  be  limited,  cramped, 
and  restrained.  Cold  selfishness,  and  cowardly  policy,  and  lifeless 
attempts  have  been  too  often  and  too  long  the  characteristics  of 
many  of  those  who  call  themselves  disciples  of  Christ.  When  1 
consider  what  the  Missionary  cause  is — that  its  design  is  to  com- 
municate to  our  brethren  of  the  human  family  who  arc  destitute  of 
them,  blessings  and  privileges  which  we  esteem  invaluable  and 
essential ; to  impart  knowledge  which  we  possess  to  beings  like  our- 
selves, who  are  absolutely  perishing  for  lack  of  it ; and  when  I 
consider,  that  by  imparting  we  diminish  not  the  smallest  portion  of 
our  own  privileges  and  advantages,  I am  in  utter  amazement  that 
this  cause  is  not  more  zealously  promoted.  And  were  it  proper  to 
introduce  private  feelings,  I would  add,  that  I am  grieved  and  hu- 
miliated that  it  has  not  heretofore  occupied  a much  larger  space  in 
my  own  meditations  and  labours. 

We  have  every  motive  as  enlightened  men  and  sincere  Christians 
to  enter  into  this  cause  with  full  purpose  of  heart,  never  to  abandon 
or  grow  cold  in  it,  while  powers  and  opportunities  for  its  advance- 
ment shall  be  continued  to  us.  There  is  not  a single  view  of  it 
which  we  can  bring  forward  to  excuse  our  apathy.  When  called 
upon  to  give  a portion  of  this  world’s  goods  to  relieve  the  poor, 
we  may  sometimes  feel  that  the  store  we  possess  is  in  danger  of 
too  great  diminution  ; when  we  impart  to  others  the  knowledge  of 
art  or  of  science  that  distinguishes  us,  it  may  seem  that  by  making 
them  as  wise  as  ourselves,  we  lessen  our  own  comparative  eleva- 
tion. But  to  impart  spiritual  treasures,  however  freely  we  give 
them  forth,  in  no  degree  diminishes  our  own  wealth  ; on  the  con- 
trary, it  is  thus  augmented  ; our  own  place  in  the  kingdom  of  hea- 
ven will  not  be  made  lower,  though  an  entrance  be  abundantly 
ministered  unto  others.  While,  therefore,  men  are  so  ready  to 
send  the  temporal  comforts  of  food  and  clothing  to  the  hungry 


t) 


and  destitute,  and  while  they  esteem  it  a grand  and  honourable  un- 
dertaking to  spread  abroad  the  lights  of  human  science,  and  to 
extend  the  improvements  of  civilized  society — -why  should  so  little 
interest,  in  comparison,  be  felt  in  communicating  spiiitual  know- 
ledge and  consolations  ? How  are  we  to  account  for  this  1 Not 
because  the  society  in  which  we  dwell  is  destitute  of  the  spirit  of 
benevolence.  By  no  means,  such  an  accusation  would  be  in  the 
highest  degree  unjust.  The  spirit  of  benevolence  exists,  with  few 
exceptions,  in  the  bosoms  of  all  men.  To  excite  and  put  it  into  ac- 
tion, you  need  only  present  to  their  sympathies  some  case  of  want 
or  suffering  which  they  can  comprehend  and  realize.  Now  all  may 
imagine  what  it  is  to  suffer  hunger  and  cold-  and  to  endure  unre- 
lieved and  unmitigated  poverty, — the  more  intelligent  will  easily 
comprehend  and  justly  estimate  the  benefits  which  knowledge  and 
the  arts  of  civilized  life  have  conferred  upon  themselves  and  upon 
the  community  in  which  they  dwell.  These  things  they  understand 
and  can  realize,  and  therefore  upon  such  subjects  their  sympathies 
are  easily  awakened  : and  we  may  be  assured,  that  when  once  men 
can  fully  appreciate  the  advantages  of  the  gospel  of  Christ,  to  them- 
selves; when  once  they  can  say  that  to  them  it  is  more  precious 
than  gold  and  rubies,  and  that  all  human  science  and  art  are  vain 
and  worthless  in  comparison  with  it  ; when  once  they  can  feel  that 
it  has  been  the  means  of  rescuing  them  from  the  power  of  that 
dreadful  disease  which  was  palsying  virtuous  effort,  and  poisoning 
present  enjoyment,  and  banishing  the  hope  of  life  immortal  ; when 
and  wheresoever  all  this  is  felt  and  appreciated,  there  will  be  no 
difficulty  in  rousing  and  keeping  in  vigorous  activity  missionary 
benevolence.  Wherever,  on  the  contrary  this  benevolence  is 
not  felt  and  exhibited,  it  is  because  the  power  of  true  religion  is 
not  experienced. 

Any  system  of  professed  Christianity  which  maintains  light  opi- 
nions of  human  depravity,  and  softened  explanations  of  the  threal- 
enings  of  eternal  damnation,  cannot  be  expected  to  take  a deep 
interest  in  the  spiritual  condition  of  the  human  race.  When  we 
notice  what  we  esteem  a slight  disease,  we  are  not  particularly 
anxious  about  the  means  of  cure — our  remedies  are  mild  and  are 
tardily  administered,  and  we  are  willing  to  trust  to  the  healing 
power  of  natuie.  Not  so  when  wc  observe  the  symptoms  of  one 
of  those  dreadful  maladies  which  quickly  send  men  to  destruction  ; 
then  we  arc  alarmed  and  in  earnest,  and  ply  vigorously  and  without 
cessation  every  method  of  arresting  it,  which  science  and  expeii- 


4 

eueo  can  devise.  Similar  to  this  must  be  the  feeling  ot  those  who 
are  truly  engaged  in  the  missionary  cause.  Those  who  entertain 
different  opinions  of  the  extent  of  human  depravity  and  its  conse- 
quences, may  talk  about  Missions,  and  attempt  to  excite  among 
themselves  some  interest  in  their  favour  ; but  this  is  in  self-defence, 
and  because  they  are  roused  by  the  reproach  ol  lukewarmness. 
They  can  have  no  heartfelt  devotion  to  this  species  of  ( hristian 
benevolence.  It  is  not  simply  because  Christianity  will  improve 
the  temporal  condition  of  those  to  whom  it  is  communicated  ; 
saving  the  idolator  from  moral  degradation,  and  from  expensive 
offerings  and  sacrifices  of  human  blood  ; restoring  woman  to  her 
just  privileges,  her  mild  control,  and  purifying  influences,  and  thus 
bringing  in  its  train  all  the  benefits  of  civilized  life  : it  is  not  on 
these  accounts  alone  that  we  are  to  promote  the  dissemination  of 
our  religion.  Great,  unquestionably,  as  are  the  moral  and  tempo- 
ral advantages  which  accrue  to  those  who  are  the  subjects  of  mis- 
sionary labours,  this  must  not  be  our  sole  or  our  principal  rea- 
son for  promoting  them.  Would  we  aid  Missions  upon  proper 
and  efficient  principles,  we  must  aid  them  because  they  are 
means  appointed  by  God  for  taking  perishing  sinners  from  a state 
of  condemnation  ; for  introducing  the  lost  sons  of  Adam  into  the 
Hock  and  fold  of  Christ  ; for  extending  the  triumphs  of  the  Re- 
deemer over  sin,  satan,  and  death  ; and  for  peopling  the  mansions  of 
the  blessed  with  pure  and  rejoicing  spirits,  who  might  otherwise 
have  been  the  hateful  and  blaspheming  subjects  of  eternal  condem- 
nation and  misery.  These  are  the  solemn  and  overwhelming  con- 
siderations, which  present  the  cause  of  Missions  in  all  its  extended 
importance,  which  connect  it  with  the  awful  sublimities  of  a future 
world,  and  which,  therefore,  are  best  calculated  to  rouse  the  atten- 
tion of  beings  acting  on  their  responsibility  as  immortal.  Those 
who  have  not  these  feelings  and  views  can  never  be  engaged  in  it, 
as  they  should  be,  heart,  mind,  soul,  and  strength.  When  mere 
temporal  advantages  are  to  be  communicated  to  our  fellow  creatures, 
and  moral  renovation  tor  the  purpose  of  inducing  them  to  live  with 
greater  purity  and  dignity,  “ the  life  of  to-day,”  when  these  arc 
the  only  motives  that  impel  us  to  the  missionary  cause,  it  wrill  inevi- 
tably be  pursued  with  the  caution,  the  delay,  the  controlled  feelings 
and  views  of  a worldly  policy.  Let  me  know  what  opinions  any 
set  of  men  hold  in  regard  to  the  distinguishing  characteristic  of 
the  gospel  of  Christ,  and  I can  almost  predict,  how  high  the  ther- 
mometer of  their  religious  benevolence  will  rise  when  applied  to 


8 


the  atmosphere  which  envelopes  the  sin-darkened  nations.  With 
the  true  and  faithful  missionary,  the  gospel  does  not  seize  hold 
upon  his  affections,  arm  his  resolutions,  sustain  his  self-denial,  and 
animate  his  labours,  as  the  gospel  of  Christ  the  moral  teacher, 
Christ  the  author  of  immortality,  Christ  the  renovator  of  religion  : 
No — it  is  Christ  crucified,  Christ  the  atonement  for  his  sins,  Christ 
the  only  and  the  all-sufficient  means  of  his  restoration  to  the  favour 
of  God  and  the  hope  of  future  blessedness.  This  is  the  saying  which  is 
worthy  of  all  acceptation,  and  which  he  earnestly  desires  may  be 
accepted  of  all.  This  is  the  gospel  which  he  readily  perceives  was 
not  communicated  for  himself  alone,  but  for  every  creature  born  in 
the  same  state  of  condemnation  with  himself.  And  the  gratitude  which 
he  feels  for  his  own  deliverance,  his  present  consolations  and  future 
hopes,  while  it  fills  his  mouth  with  praises  to  God  his  Saviour,  en- 
gages his  hands  and  his  heart  to  promote  the  cause  which  he  knows 
to  be  dearest  to  that  Saviour,  for  which  he  endured  the  cross,  des- 
pising the  shame,  even  the  salvation  of  the  world. 

In  former  years  the  cause  of  missions  was  little  understood,  and 
therefore,  was  much  misrepresented  and  violently  assailed.  But 
now  there  are  few  who  are  avowedly  opposed  to  it.  Every  Chris- 
tian must  and  will  acknowledge  that  the  ignorant  and  destitute  of 
our  own  shores,  have  great  and  unalienable  claims  upon  our  charita- 
ble sympathies  and  assistance,  and  there  are  very  few  who  en- 
tirely reject  and  discountenance  the  petitions  of  the  poor  heathen 
of  foreign  lands.  So  much  has  been  said  and  written  to  encourage 
this  holy  warfare,  such  proofs  of  its  justice  and  expediency  have 
been  advanced,  and  so  much  ground  has  actually  been  gained  in  it, 
that  pious  and  thinking  men  can  be  indifferent  no  longer.  The 
animating  exhortations  of  such  men  as  the  ardent  Melville  Horne, 
and  the  eloquent  and  benevolent  Chalmers,  the  self-denying  labours 
of  the  pious  Schwartz,  the  zealous  Buchanan,  the  judicious  Middle- 
ton,  the  devoted  and  accomplished  Martyn,  the  almost  perfect 
Ileber  ; and  in  our  own  country,  the  cogent  appeals  and  powerful 
examples  of  those  of  other  persuasions,  in  the  pulpit  and  on  mis- 
sionary ground,  sanctified  and  rendered  efficient  by  the  Spirit  of 
God,  have  awakened  the  slumbering  spirit  of  Christendom,  and  dis- 
turbed the  long  and  disgraceful  apathy  of  our  own  church.  But 
much,  very  much,  remains  to  be  accomplished.  It  is  one  thing  to 
acknowledge  the  justice  and  obligation  of  missionary  claims,  a far 
different  one  to  put  forth  our  energies  to  advance  them.  This  is 
what  Christians  of  no  place  and  of  no  denomination  have  as  yet 


9 


done  to  the  extent  which  the  cause  deserves  and  demands ; and 
certainly  we  must  be  content  to  endure  the  reproach  and  mortifica- 
tion of  being  among  the  last  to  enroll  ourselves  under  the  banners 
of  this  holy  warfare.  My  observation  has  more  especial  reference 
to  the  case  of  foreign  missions.  To  aid  our  brethren  at  home  with- 
in the  boundaries  of  our  own  country,  even  Christians  of  moderate 
zeal  and  benevolence,  have  acknowledged  to  be  a duty;  and  a few 
flocks  have  been  collected,  and  a few  patches  from  the  vast  domains 
of  our  western  country,  have  been  reclaimed  and  cultivated  for  their 
sustenance.  But  what  have  we  done  abroad  ? But  little,  and  that 
little  with  still  less  effect. 

The  idea  of  sending  the  gospel  to  the  remote  ends  of  the  earth, 
has  been  ridiculed  by  some  as  a quixotic  enterprise  ; has  been  dis- 
countenanced by  some  as  impracticable  ; and  has  been  discouraged 
by  others  as  interfering  with  more  urgent  claims  nearer  at  home. 
Others  again  object,  because  the  beneficial  effects  of  missions  have 
not,  in  their  estimation,  been  commensurate  with  the  exertion  and 
expense  that  have  attended  producing  them.  Reasoning  from  the 
many  disappointments  that  these  enterprises  have  met  with,  and 
from  the  large  sums  of  money  expended  in  them,  they  declare  that 
the  time  has  not  yet  arrived,  that  we  must  wait  till  the  state  of 
heathen  nations  is  rendered  more  propitious  to  such  attempts  by 
political  or  other  changes,  and  that  while  comparatively  so  little  is 
to  be  accomplished  abroad,  and  so  much  remains  to  be  effected  at 
home,  our  donations  and  exertions  should  flow  in  this  latter  channel 
alone.  These  considerations  are  not  without  weight ; at  any  rate, 
some  of  them  proceed  from  those  whose  sincere  attachment  to  the 
kingdom  of  Christ,  and  whose  earnest  desire  to  see  its  advancement, 
we  cannot  for  a moment  question.  But  surely  the  claims  upon  us  at 
home,  are  not  a sufficient  apology  for  utterly  rejecting  those  who  call 
to  us  for  salvation  from  afar.  Cast  thy  bread  upon  the  wafers,  give  a 
portion  to  seven,  and  also  to  eight.  I doubt  not,  and  no  Christian 
can  doubt,  that  our  first  and  most  imperious  duty  is  at  home.  We 
are  to  do  good  unto  all  men,  but  especially  unto  them  that  are  of 
the  household  of  faith.  He  that  should  cast  his  whole  bread  upon 
the  universal  ocean  of  Christian  benevolence,  while  his  own  fami- 
ly are  hungry  for  the  want  of  it,  would  literally  be  worse  than  an 
infidel  : he  that  should  portion  off  strangers  and  the  heathen,  and 
leave  his  own  relatives  to  poverty  and  dependence,  would  exhibit 
himself  as  destitute  of  the  true  principles  of  benevolence,  as  of  the 
feelings  of  affection.  We  could  never  approve  that  ostentatious 

2 


10 


spirit  which  scatters  abroad,  and  spares  and  grudges  at  home  ; 
which  spends  itself  in  looking  at  the  ends  of  the  earth,  while  the 
eye  passes  carelessly  over  the  intermediate  space.  Our  holy  religion 
unquestionably  teaches  that  charity  begins  at  home  ; but  with  equal 
emphasis,  it  declares  that  it  does  not  terminate  there.  We 
are  each  one  of  us  bound  to  be  as  extensively  useful  as  pos- 
sible : we  must  not  exclusively  confine  ourselves  to  our  own  immedi- 
ate families,  nor  even  to  the  limits  of  our  own  nation  : we  must 
ever  be  alive  to  the  consideration  how  we  can  do  good  according 
to  our  abilities  and  opportunities  to  the  great  family  of  man.  By 
every  obligation  of  duty,  by  every  motive  of  interest,  this  spirit  of 
enlarged  benevolence  is  recommended  to  us.  Let  us  for  a moment 
look  at  the  subject  in  this  light. 

The  more  closely  we  examine  the  condition  of  man  in  society,  the 
more  convinced  shall  we  be  of  the  extent  of  our  mutual  connexions 
and  dependencies.  So  wisely  is  the  order  of  God’s  providence  ar- 
ranged, so  closely  has  he  connected  together  the  human  family,  that 
the  relations  of  man  with  man  are  every  day  growing  still  more  ex- 
tensive. The  most  distant  parts  of  the  earth  are  now  united  by  the 
bonds  of  mercantile  interest,  and  the  frequency  of  social  intercourse  : 
every  part  is  constantly  becoming  more  essential  to  the  comfort  and 
well  being  of  every  other  part.  We  cannot  then  be  indifferent  to  what 
relates  to  thq  improvement  of  any  portion  of  the  human  race.  But  I 
would  ask,  is  this  enlarged  obligation  sufficiently  considered  or  act- 
ed upon  by  men  in  general,  and  especially  by  Christian  men  ? — 
Their  responsibilities  to  the  family  that  depends  upon  them,  and  to 
the  friends  of  their  immediate  connexion  they  will  readily  acknow- 
ledge, and  for  the  most  part  punctually  discharge.  But  here  they 
rest.  They  view  themselves  as  part  of  a narrow  circle,  and  not  of 
a grand  whole.  They  will  move  perhaps  evenly  and  regularly  in 
their  own  little  orbit,  but  forget  that  this  orbit,  with  all  that  it  con- 
tains, must  take  its  course  around  a larger  one,  and  this  again  around 
another,  till  we  can  no  longer  trace  the  majestic  and  complicated 
system.  It  is  not  intended,  as  before  stated,  to  advocate  the  prin- 
ciple that  a man’s  contributions  and  exertions  are  to  be  devoted 
with  equal  energy  and  continuousness  to  objects  remote  as  well  as 
near.  By  no  means.  As  he  approaches  the  centre  of  his  circle, 
the  more  powerfully  must  his  rays  be  seen  and  his  warmth  be  felt. 
But  there  is  no  point  at  which  their  influence  must  be  checked  and 
drawn  in  by  himself.  It  is  only  when  other  beings  are  beyond  his 
reach  that  his  duty  ceases  ; then  indeed  the  light  of  the  benevolent 


11 


man,  like  that  of  one  of  the  lesser  stars,  becomes  feeble  and  un- 
distinguishable,  but  even  then  it  is  not  without  its  effect,  for  it  aids 
to  form  that  luminous  galaxy  which  encircles  the  moral  firmament. 
Now  if  the  principle  thus  briefly  illustrated  be  a correct  one  ; 
if  it  be  founded  in  the  nature  of  man,  bo  enforced  by  his 
condition  in  society,  and  be  rendered  obligatory  by  the  inferred 
and  the  revealed  will  of  God,  at  what  point  on  the  surface  of  this 
globe  wall  it  authorise  us  to  suspend  our  exertions  and  contributions 
for  imparting  to  our  fellow-men  that  which  we  esteem  our  best 
treasure  ? What  remote  island,  what  secluded  valley,  what  alpine 
region,  where  sinful  and  accountable  man  inhabits,  should  we  con- 
sider as  placed  beyond  our  sympathies  ? None.  We  may  not  think 
as  often,  or  give  as  much  for  them  as  for  our  own  household  of 
faith,  but  we  must  sometimes  think  and  act,  and  something  we 
must  give. 

Domestic  and  Foreign  Missions,  though  they  may  be  distinct  in 
name,  though  their  transactions  may  be  under  the  control  of  differ- 
ent bodies  of  men,  (and  perhaps  for  their  mutual  benefit  such 
a division  of  labours  may  be  expedient,)  yet  the  cause  itself  is  one 
and  indivisible.  That  which  makes  them  Foreign  and  Domestic, 
is  the  difference  of  our  civil  relations.  But  what  has  the  Gospel  of 
Christ  to  do  with  boundaries  of  kingdoms,  or  the  forms  of  govern- 
ment, or  differences  of  language,  or  varieties  of  feature  and  com- 
plexion ? The  enlarged  and  generous  spirit  of  Christian  love  over- 
leaps these  boundaries.  God  who  hath  made  of  one  blood  all  na- 
tions of  men  for  to  dwell  on  all  the  face  of  the  earth,  will  the  more 
approve  our  benevolence  the  more  expansive  it  becomes,  because 
it  then  in  some  degree  resembles  his  own  universal  goodness.  Let 
not  any  one  imagine  that  he  is  the  true  and  enlightened  friend^of 
Domestic  Missions  while  his  affections  are  cold  to  those  which  have 
our  distant  brethren  of  the  human  family  for  their  object.  In  our 
thoughts,  our  prayers,  and  our  exertions,  they  are  to  be  regarded 
as  the  offspring  of  the  same  principle,  just  as  that  is  the  same  cha- 
rity which  gives  to  the  destitute  family  that  lives  within  sight  of  our 
own  habitation,  and  to  the  unfortunate  being  plundered  and  wound- 
ed, and  left  for  dead  on  the  road  side,  whom  we  casually  encounter 
while  on  a distant  journey.  We  could  not  innocently  pass  by  the 
latter  with  neglect,  for  he  also  is  our  neighbour  in  the  view  of 
Christian  duty. 

But  although  the  general  principle  may  be  allowed,  there  are 
some  who  may  be  disposed  to  deny  its  immediate  application  to  the 


12 


heathen  world,  and  to  urge  as  a reason  for  longer  delay  the  little 
that  has  been  effected  there,  and  the  discouraging  prospects  it  even 
now  presents  to  our  view.  Of  those  who  assert  this  objection, 
and  thus  reason  themselves  into  a state  of  indifference,  it  may  be 
demanded,  is  not  the  precept,  “ Go  preach  the  gospel  to  every 
creature,”  plain,  direct,  and  untrammelled  with  restrictions  or  limi- 
tations ? Are  we  to  wait  for  another  command  as  the  signal  to  go 
forth  ? Have  we  any  right  to  expect  another  ? Did  the  apostles 
and  missionaries  of  the  church  in  its  infant  age  remain  within  the 
walls  of  Jerusalem,  or  even  within  the  confines  of  Judea  ? No.  When 
the  church  was  once  established,  and  its  triple  order  arranged  and 
organized  by  divine  suggestion,  it  became  the  settled  plan  and  de- 
termination of  its  counsels  to  overspread  the  earth  with  the  doctrine 
of  the  cross.  The  isles  of  Greece,  the  shores  of  Asia,  refined 
Athens,  imperial  Rome,  uncivilized  Britain,  remotest  India,  these 
were  the  fields  of  missionary  labour  ere  a century  had  elapsed 
from  the  going  forth  of  the  great  commandment — preach  the  gos- 
pel. Had  Christians  in  after  ages  possessed  but  half  the  portion 
of  this  apostolic  zeal  which  distinguished  the  church  while  in  its 
age  of  infancy,  in  eighteen  centuries  there  would  not  have  been  a 
place  on  the  whole  earth  ignorant  of  the  name  of  Christ. 

But  the  plea  and  excuse  of  the  spiritual  destitution  of  our  brethren 
at  home  returns  upon  us.  Let  us  look  again  at  the  conduct  of  the 
apostles  in  this  respect.  They  unquestionably  went  frequently  and  far 
on  Foreign  Missions.  Will  it  be  said  that  the  corrupt  and  hardened 
Scribes  and  Pharisees  of  Jerusalem,  the  ignorant  and  yoke-bound 
slaves  of  their  burdensome  rites  and  foolish  traditions  in  the  regions 
round  about,  (which  was  the  field  of  Domestic  Missions  to  the  apos- 
tles,) will  it  be  said  that  this  field  did  not  need  their  attention  and  culti- 
vation as  much  as  almost  any  portion  of  any  nation  of  Christendom 
needs  the  labours  of  Christians  of  the  present  day  ? And  when  the 
apostles  knew  that  Jerusalem  was  to  be  trodden  down  of  the  gentiles, 
and  its  wretched  inhabitants  destroyed  or  scattered  abroad,  might 
they  not  have  found  in  the  prospect  of  these  dreadful  visitations  a 
powerful  excuse  for  confining  their  labours  to  their  own  brethren  ? 
Yet  they  were  not  restricted  by  these  views.  They  went  forth, — 
quickened  by  zeal  for  Christ  and  love  for  the  souls  of  men, — they 
penetrated  even  to  the  ends  of  the  earth.  Or  will  it  be  argued 
that  to  them  obstacles  were  less  and  encouragements  greater  than 
to  us?  Lot  us  make  the  comparison.  The  inveterate  prejudice, 
the  narrow  bigotry  or  high  .contempt  of  Mussulmen, — are  these 


13 


hateful  qualities  more  prominent  in  them,  than  they  were  in  Pha- 
risaical Jews  of  ancient  times  ?— The  mild  Hindoos  arc  intelligent, 
are  devoted  to  their  superstition, which  is  supported  by  antiquity  and 
defended  by  learning  and  taste  ; but  are  they  by  these  circumstances 
placed  farther  beyond  the  reach  of  the  Gospel  than  the  polished  and 
witty  Greeks,  or  the  dignified  and  philosophical  Romans  ? — The  In- 
dians of  Western  America  and  the  isles  of  the  Pacific  are  ignorant  and 
degraded  ; the  savage  hordes  of  Africa  are  remote  and  intractable  ; 
but  are  they  less  accessible  or  more  barbarous  than  the  furious 
Gaul3,or  naked  Britons,  or  inhospitable  Scythians  ? — Or  to  coast 
the  shores  of  the  Mediterranean  in  frail  barks  without  compass  or 
chart ; was  this  less  hazardous,  or  an  enterprise  of  less  extent,  than 
now  to  sail  in  our  stately  and  well  ordered  ships,  guided  by  experi- 
enced skill  and  the  certainties  of  science  ? No,  my  brethren.  There  is 
no  obstacle  to  missionary  enterprise  in  the  present  day,  which  was 
not  equally  formidable  to  the  apostles  and  early  missionaries.  There 
was  no  encouragement  given  to  them  which  we  do  not  enjoy  in  an 
equal  degree.  And  I will  venture  to  add,  we  have  equal  advantages 
for  bringing  converts  to  the  faith  of  Christ,  had  we  but  their  zeal 
and  devotion.  They  indeed  wrought  miracles,  they  spake  with 
foreign  tongues,  they  were  inspired  teachers  : but  we  have  the 
arts  of  civilization  which  arouse  the  attention  and  command  the 
respect  of  the  ignorant  Heathen  like  miracles ; we  have  time 
and  facilities  to  learn  foreign  languages  which  were  denied  to  the 
apostles  ; and  the  preaching  of  the  Gospel,  if  it  be  not  from  in- 
spired lips,  yet  if  these  lips  faithfully  declare  the  truths  of  inspira- 
tion, the  spirit  of  God  will  give  them  entrance  into  the  heart. — 
Now,  as  in  the  days  of  the  apostles,  the  Gospel  grows  not  from 
the  planting  of  Paul,  or  the  watering  of  Apollos,  but  because  God 
giveth  the  increase. 

But  why  need  I. argue  these  points?  Argument  was  the 
duty  of  twenty  years  ago  ; then  was  the  season  of  doubt  and 
irresolution  with  the  timid ; with  the  bold,  merely  the  period 
of  anticipation.  At  the  present  day,  instead  of  arguing  on  ge- 
neral principles,  we  can  present  the  simple  and  obvious  demonstra- 
tion. We  have  begun  to  find  that  bread  which  for  so  many  years, 
and  with  apparently  so  little  effect,  hath  been  cast  upon  the  waters. 
Look  at  what  has  been  accomplished  by  the  missionaries  of  the 
South  Sea  Islands.  “Never,”  as  competent  and  trustworthy  wit- 
nesses have  declared,  “ never  did  the  Gospel  obtain  a more  com- 
plete and  glorious  triumph  over  ignorance  and  sensuality  and  super- 
stition since  the  world  began.”  Behold  again  in  the  east  the  seed 


14 


which  was  placed  but  a few  years  since  in  the  bosom  of  the  eatth, 
which  Middleton  cherished  and  Heber  watered,  and  how  it  flourishes 
and  puts  forth  its  leaves,  and  yields  its  fruits,  and  how  the  nations  be- 
gin to  resort  unto  it  for  healing,  and  the^ancient  churches  to  revive 
beneath  its  sheltering  branches.  Look  at  this,  and  be  no  longer 
faithless,  but  believing.  But  when  we  would  point  to  what  mission- 
ary labour  has  actually  accomplished,  whose  thoughts  do  not  at 
once  turn  to  trace  the  unostentatious  but  decided  progress  of  that 
band  of  apostolic  men,  the  Moravian  brothers  ? We  look  at  them 
and  the  history  of  their  labours  and  successes  with  unbounded  re- 
spect and  admiration.  Hence  we  may  derive  courage  the  most  abun- 
dant. Considering  the  difficulties  that  the  mission  cause  has  had  to 
contend  with,  the  lukewarmness  of  its  friends,  the  opposition  of  its 
enemies,  the  absence  of  concert  in  its  plans,  the  inexperience  of  its 
directors,  the  want  of  adequate  preparation  in  its  messengers,  we 
cannot  reasonably  indulge  disappointment  in  regard  to  its  desirqd 
effects  ; we  may  rather  wonder  that  these  effects  are  made  pro- 
minent so  early.  Under  the  influence  of  reflections  made  upon  the 
present  state  of  missions,  to  me  it  now  appears  that  there  is  no 
place  on  this  earth  so  remote,  no  people  so  barbarous,  no  supersti- 
tion so  rooted  in  the  affections  and  prejudices  of  those  who  prac- 
tise it,  that  may  not  at  this  very  day,  by  the  very  first  ship  that  can 
be  prepared,  be  made  the  object  of  a successful  missionary  assault. 
Had  we  the  means  and  the  instruments,  the  time  is  always  ready. 
It  is  to  be  wanting  both  in  faith  and  courage  to  wait  for  political 
changes  or  moral  revolutions.  The  Gospel  must  make  its  own 
way,  and  it  is  able  to  do  so.  If  the  true  priests  and  levites  will  only 
carry  the  ark  of  the  living  God  into  the  enemy’s  land,  they  need 
not  fear  for  its  safety  ; no  sacrilegious  hand  will  be  permitted  to 
take  hold  of  it  for  its  destruction,  and  Dagon  shall  fall  prostrate 
before  it. 

But  the  spirit  of  enterprise  once  awakened  by  these  views,  we 
acknowledge  that  its  operations  must  be  directed  witli  the  utmost 
circumspection.  We  should  not  hesitate  because  the  field  is  re- 
mote, the  enterprise  hazardous,  the  prospect  of  success  distant; 
but  we  may  require  that  the  plan  be  prepared  by  the  best  experi- 
ence, and  the  fullest  knowledge  of  circumstances,  and  that  ample 
means  be  collected  to  put  it  into  thorough  execution.  To  ministers 
of  the  gospel,  and  to  all  devout  Christians  in  their  respective 
spheres  of  action,  it  belongs  to  excite  and  to  press  forward  the  mis- 
sionary spirit,  and  to  pour  into  the  missionary  treasury  of  the  Lord, 


15 


supplies  so  ample  that  the  drafts  upon  it  shall  never  fail.  Upon 
the  Boards  and  Directors  of  missionary  societies,  it  is  incumbent  to 
look  with  the  eye  of  enlightened  philosophy,  as  well  as  Christian 
compassion,  over  the  whole  surface  of  the  earth,  and  see  to  what 
points  their  efforts  can  be  directed  with  the  best  prospect  of  suc- 
cess, and  what  measures  arc  best  calculated  to  ensure  this  success. 
We  must  acknowledge  that  most  of  the  disappointments  that  have 
attended  missionary  efforts,  and  most  of  the  fruitless  exertions  that 
are  now  adduced  as  an  argument  against  them,  have  proceeded 
from  want  of  sufficient  prudence  and  knowledge  in  their  manage- 
ment. Zeal  without  knowledge  will  carry  us  astray ; the  courage 
of  enterprise  without  prudence  to  direct  it,  cannot  be  expected  to 
produce  successful  results.  Another  consideration  is  also  of  impor- 
tance. While  our  means  and  resources  are  limited,  they  should  not 
be  directed  to  too  many  objects.  Collect  the  little  tributary  streams 
into  one  channel,  and  their  force  will  bear  down  mighty  obsta- 
cles ; they  will  reach  their  way  to  lands  which  they  can  beautify 
and  enrich  ; but  divide  them  minutely,  and  disperse  them  widely 
upon  the  arid  sands  of  the  desert,  and  they  w ill  be  dried  up,  or  sink 
away,  and  leave  no  green  traces  of  their  progress. 

When  we  direct  our  eyes  over  the  whole  surface  of  the  globe,  in 
benevolent  inquiry  for  the  field  which  appropriately  belongs  to  us 
to  cultivate,  which  our  past  neglect,  our  present  duty,  our  future 
interests,  unitedly  mark  out  to  us  as  our  own,  shall  we  not  say 
that  it  is  Africa,  injured,  oppressed,  degraded  Africa  ? injured, 
we  are  willing  to  believe,  through  the  sin  of  ignorance  in  our  fore- 
fathers ; oppressed,  that  the  labours  and  sacrifices  of  her  children 
might  minister  to  our  comforts  and  luxuries  ; degraded,  by  the  yoke 
of  an  unjust  and  cruel  bondage,  imposed  by  those  who  to  us  were 
benefactors  and  parents.  Is  it  not  our  solemn  duty  to  do  away  as 
far  as  possible  the  effects  of  their  injustice,  to  repair  the  moral  evils 
which  they  have  caused  ? And  in  what  better  manner  can  this  be 
done,  than  by  giving  to  Africans  the  blessings  of  Christianity,  and 
preparing  for  them  in  their  own  land  “cities  of  refuge.”  Nay,  I 
would  demand  in  what  other  method  can  it  be  done  ? I can  see  no 
other,  and  imagine  no  other.  But  let  us  with  strong  and  united 
purpose,  engage  ourselves  in  this  enterprise,  and  the  good  wre  may 
accomplish,  the  evil  we  may  avert,  is  incalculable.  As  regards 
other  missionary  attempts,  wTe  are  encouraged  to  look  for  a reward 
although  it  may  be  distant  ; after  many  days  thou  shalt  find  the 
bread  that  thou  hast  cast  upon  the  waters.  But  here  another,  and 


1G 


a most  solemn  and  interesting  motive  is  added  : Give  a portion  to 
seven,  and  also  to  eight,  for  thou  knowest  not  what  evil  shall 
be  in  the  earth.  The  danger  that  impends  over  us  as  a nation, 
from  the  increase  of  our  colonial  and  slave  population,  we  cannot 
define  or  imagine.  But  that  by  a continuation  of  our  infatuated 
blindness  and  criminal  neglect,  it  may  be  awfully  great,  no  thinking 
man  can  doubt.  To  us  who  are  happily  exempt  from  the  curse  of 
slavery,  this  danger  is  not  so  immediate  ; but  can  we  be  indifferent 
to  it?  By  no  means.  The  cause  is  a common  one.  The  welfare  of 
the  members  of  one  family,  who  should  be  united  in  bonds  of  the 
closest  affection,  as  they  are  by  the  ties  of  interest,  is  involved  in  it.  I 
am  troubled  and  grieved  when  I hear  upon  this  subject  the  interests 
of  the  south,  and  the  interests  of  the  north  conflicting,  and  the  jeal- 
ousies of  one  met  by  the  reproaches  of  the  other.  It  is  not  the  fault 
of  our  southern  brethren  that  has  entailed  this  evil  upon  them  : it  is 
not  by  virtue  and  prudence  alone  that  we  have  escaped  from  it.  Let 
us  remember  this.  Our  exemption  arises  from  circumstances  that 
existed  long  before  there  was  any  distinction  of  principle  upon  this 
point ; the  nature  of  our  climate,  and  the  character  of  our  early  popu- 
lation. To  triumph  in  our  freedom,  though  as  it  were  of  our  own  pur- 
chasing, is  folly  and  ingratitude  ; to  hold  it  up  as  a reproach  to  our 
brethren  is  base  cruelty  and  injustice.  As  loving  brethren,  as  faithful 
citizens,  as  true  and  benevolent  Christians,  we  should  unite,  heart 
and  hand,  wealth  and  wisdom,  enterprise  and  prayer,  to  avert  the 
evils,  to  redress  the  injuries,  to  remove  the  disgrace  consequent  upon 
the  introduction  of  slavery  into  this  western  world.  To  talk  of  any 
general  or  immediate  emancipation  to  the  injured  sons  of  Africa, 
except  the  freedom  which  Christ  can  give,  is  to  talk  language, 
the  origin  of  which  is  ignorance,  the  consequences  of  which  are 
cruel  suffering  to  our  brethren  and  friends.  The  freedom  of  Christ 
then  let  us  proclaim  to  Africa,  and  let  it  be  our  determination  that 
her  sons  shall  enjoy  it.  And  let  her  sons  too  be  its  heralds.  Africa 
must  be  civilized  and  christianized  by  Africans ; but  in  America 
must  the  work  be  prepared.  Here  must  missionaries  be  selected 
and  instructed  and  commissioned.  Why  should  we  not  have  our 
school  of  missions  for  this  express  purpose,  aud  why  should  it  not 
be  commenced  forthwith  ? For  such  an  enterprise,  so  fraught  with 
advantages,  we  have  only  to  make  judicious  preparations,  and  to 
bring  forward  our  demands,  and  we  shall,  I am  confident  we  shall,  find 
a general  response  of  sympathy  throughout  our  land,  and  a willing 
and  abundant  contribution.  But  1 find  myself  an  insulated  indivi- 


17 


dual,  encroaching  upou  what  I have  stated  to  be  the  appropriate 
province  for  the  exercise  of  the  united  wisdom  of  missionary  boards 
and  directors.  1 say  not  the  field  1 have  spoken  of  is  the  only 
one.  Assuredly  not.  But  I present  it  now,  as  appearing  to  me 
the  one  first  in  duty,  and  first  in  importance. 

And  now  my  brethren,  having  demanded  your  attention  longer, 
I fear,  than  I have  rewarded  it,  I must  approach  the  conclusion  of 
my  present  effort.  Weak  though  it  be — far  inadequate  to  the  dig- 
nity and  importance  of  the  subject,  I will  yet  pray  the  Almighty 
Spirit  to  give  it  his  blessing  ; and  1 will,  also,  venture  to  ask  for 
it  your  prayers.  In  regard  to  the  cause  itself,  I have  no  doubt.  It 
must  and  will  succeed.  The  triumphs  of  the  cross  will  be  more 
frequent  and  more  universal,  from  this  time  forth,  while  the  world 
shall  endure.  We,  indeed,  and  many  of  our  posterity  may  first  dis- 
appear from  the  earth,  but  the  bread  oflife  shall  return  again  to  this 
land  from  which  it  has  been  sent  forth.  Our  children’s  children 
will  enjoy  the  Christian  triumphs,  and  partake  the  gospel  peace 
and  prosperity  we  may  now  prepare  for  them.  The  earth  is  gra- 
dually improving,  its  deserts  are  reclaiming,  its  forests  are  levelling, 
green  fields  and  smiling  villages,  the  comforts  of  plenty  and  the 
elegancies  of  art  are  advancing.  In  the  progress  of  ages,  from  our 
own  Atlantic  shores  to  the  Pacific,  shall  be  one  extended  surface, 
which  the  industty  of  man  shall  cultivate  and  beautify,  and  his  en- 
terprise fill  with  level  roads  and  easy  waters  of  communication. 
The  mysterious  centre  of  Africa  shall  be  known  and  visited  by  com- 
mercial enterprise.  The  jealous  gates  of  China  shall  be  thrown 
widely  open,  and  her  wall  of  separation  be  cast  down  to  the  earth. 
The  wandering  tribes  of  Asia  shall  rest,  and  tents  and  tabernacles 
be  changed  into  places  of  permanent  abode.  Not  an  island  in 
the  universal  ocean  shall  be  unknown,  nor  where  man  can  inhabit 
shall  it  be  unpeopled  or  uncivilized.  And  all  this  time,  shall  the 
gospel  be  immoveable,  shall  it  be  confined  within  its  present  nar- 
row boundaries  ? No,  my  brethren — for  it  shall  be  the  chief  sti- 
mulus to  all  this  enterprise,  the  principal  cause  of  all  these  suc- 
cessful results.  When  our  remote  posterity  shall  see  the  earth 
tranquil  in  peace,  smiling  in  joy,  and  vocal  in  praise  to  God,  they 
shall  recur  with  wonder  to  the  history  of  past  times,  when  wars 
were  in  the  earth,  when  heathen  superstitions  disgraced  it,  and  sa- 
crifices of  blood  vexed  it,  and  sin  every  where  polluted  it ; and  in 
deep-felt  gratitude  they  shall  say,  these  are  the  blessed  effects  of 

3 


Its 


our  fathers’  labours,  and  of  those  who  engaged  with  them  in  the 
missionary  cause.  Blessed  be  their  name  and  their  memory  ! And 
perhaps  we  also,  to  whom  these  anticipations  seem  now  extrava- 
gant, may  be  permitted  to  look  down  and  see  the  earth  improving, 
the  reign  of  peace  restored,  and  the  garden  of  Eden  again  flour- 
ishing in  delights.  Hasten,  O Lord,  the  time, — revive  thy  work 
in  the  midst  of  the  years,  in  the  midst  of  the  years  make  known, — 
henceforth  let  thy  word  run  very  swiftly, — defer  not,  O our  God, 
until  the  kingdoms  of  this  world  have  become  the  kingdoms  of  our 
Lord  and  of  his  Christ.  Amen. 


NOTES. 


Thk  observations  which  follow  might  have  been  placed  at  the  bottopi 
of  the  pages  where  are  found  the  passages,  in  the  preceding  Sermon, 
which  they  are  designed  to  illustrate  ; but  it  was  esteemed  better  not 
to  interrupt  the  attention  of  the  reader,  and  therefore  they  are  given  as 
an  Appendix. 

1.  On  page  8 it  is  stated,  that  the  peculiar  and  essential  doctrine 
of  the  Gospel,  Christ  crucified  as  the  atonement  for  our  sins, 
and  the  sole  author  of  immortal  life,  is  the  one  which  can  alone 
sustain  the  missionary,  and  give  success  to  his  labours.  We  have 
ample  proof  of  this  from  well  authenticated  facts.  Who  have  been 
truly  zealous  in  this  cause,  or  have  actually  accomplished  any  thing 
in  it.  except  those  who  maintain  the  doctrines  of  grace  ? As  to 
the  influence  of  these  doctrines,  look  at  the  following  facts,  taken 
from  an  Essay  by  one  of  the  most  remarkable  young  men  of  the 
present  age — too  early,  alas,  removed  from  bis  anticipated  labours 
among  the  heathen.  John  Urquhart,  like  Henry  Kirke  White, 
was  distinguished  for  early  and  powerful  talents,  for  an  early  and 
assiduous  use  of  them,  for  early  and  devoted  piety,  for  ?.n  early  and 
much  lamented,  but  a blessed  death.  See  parts  of  pages  85  and 
86,  in  the  first  volume  of  the  interesting  Memoirs  of  John  Urquhart, 
by  William  Orme. 

“ To  come  then  to  the  facts.  The  scene  of  the  experiment  was 
the  inhospital  region  of  Greenland  ; and  the  moral  and  intellectual 
condition  of  the  inhabitants  was  even  more  barren  and  dreary  than 
the  scenery  with  which  they  were  surrounded.  Here  the  only  plau- 
sible system  of  instruction  seemed  to  be  to  attempt  to  teach  the 
savages  those  truths  which  are  of  a preliminary  nature.  Accor- 
dingly, the  missionaries  set  to  work  most  assiduously,  in  telling  the 
Greenlanders  of  the  being  and  character  of  a God,  and  of  the  re- 
quirements of  his  law.  However  plausible  this  mode  of  instruc- 
tion may  appear,  it  was  patiently  continued  in  for  seven  years,  with- 
out producing  even  the  smallest  effect  on  those  hearts  which  igno- 
rance and  stupidity  had  rendered  almost  inacessible.  The  first 
conversion,  (as  far  as  man  was  concerned,)  may  be  said  to  have 
been  accidental.  Some  Southlanders  happened  to  visit  the  breth- 
ren, as  one  of  them  was  writing  a translation  of  the  gospels.  They 


30 


were  curious  to  know  what  was  in  the  book,  and  on  hearing  read 
the  history  of  Christ’s  agony  in  the  garden,  one  of  the  savages 
earnestly  exclaimed,  ‘ How  was  that  ? Tell  me  it  once  more  ; 
for  I would  fain  be  saved.’  Sometime  after  this  remark- 

able conversion,  the  brethren  entirely  changed  their  method  of  in- 
struction. ‘ They  now  directed  the  attention  of  the  savages,  in 
the  first  instance,  to  Christ  Jesus,  to  his  incarnation,  to  his  life,  and 
especially  to  his  sufferings.’  This  was  the  beginning  of  a new 
era  in  the  history  of  the  evangelization  of  Greenland.  Conversion 
followed  conversion,  till  the  missionaries  could  number  hundreds 
to  whom  the  message  of  God  had  come,  not  in  word  only,  but  also 
in  power.” 

What  a different  course  of  proceeding  is  this  from  that  which  we 
have  heard  is  attempting  in  Calcutta,  by  an  interesting  native.  He 
has  prepared  extracts  from  the  New  Testament,  which,  as  far  as 
possible,  exclude  its  peculiar  and  essential  doctrines,  and  repre- 
sent as  the  teaching  of  Jesus,  simply  and  solely  the  moral  precepts 
he  inculcated  ; and  the  admirers  of  this  benevolent  and  learned, 
though  deeply  mistaken  Hindu,  anticipate  from  such  a mangled 
and  lifeless  system,  conversions  to  the  faith  of  Christ.  When 
this  system  does  make  converts,  and  bring  a benighted  people  from 
darkness  into  light,  and  from  the  power  of  Satan  unto  God,  we 
may  begin  to  put  some  faith  in  it.  But  it  is  impossible  ; the 
preaching  of  Christ  crucified  is  the  only  preaching  that  ever  did, 
or  ever  will,  convert  the  heathen.  I doubt  whether  “ the  precepts 
of  Jesus,”  alone,  would  ever  have  been  “ to  the  Jews  a stumbling 
block,  to  the  Greeks  foolishness.”  This  is  not  the  doctrine  which 
first  offended  prejudice  and  afterwards  vanquished  it  ; thus  proving 
itself  “ the  power  of  God,  and  the  wisdom  of  God.” 

2.  On  the  same  page,  the  names  of  several  individuals  are  men- 
tioned, who  have  distinguished  themselves  in  promoting  the  mis- 
sionary cause.  Such  an  enumeration  in  a discourse  for  the  pulpit, 
must  of  necessity  be  very  limited  and  incomplete.  This  holy 
cause  can  boast  of  many  advocates,  eminently  distinguished  for 
talents,  as  well  as  piety  and  zeal  ; many  who  yet  are  alive  and  la^ 
bouringto  serve  their  master  in  this  way  to  him  most  acceptable, 
and  many  more  whose  memories  live  and  flourish,  though  their  bo- 
dies slumber  in  the  dust.  The  missionary  course  of  such  men  as 
Martyn  and  Brainard,  has  not  yet  terminated.  The  spirits  of  many 
will  be  stirred,  and  the  faith  of  many  be  strengthened  by  their  ex- 


21 


ample,  and  thus  through  their  instrumentality,  will  the  gospel  be 
preached  to  multitudes  of  the  heathen.  Their  lives,  which  arc 
compiled  principally  from  their  own  journals,  are  replete  with  inte- 
rest as  pieces  of  biography,  and  arc  admirably  calculated  to  kindle 
and  keep  alive  the  flame  of  private  devotion.  They  ought  to  be, 
and  will  be,  the  inseparable  companions  of  every  missionary. 

A life  of  Bishop  Ileber,  prepared  in  the  same  manner  and  with 
equal  ability  would  be  an  invaluable  present  to  the  Christian  world. 
In  him  we  see  splendid  talents,  profound  learning,  cultivated  taste, 
poetic  imagination,  the  loveliness  of  domestic  virtue,  saintly  piety, 
and  apostolic  zeal  combining  together  to  form  a character  “ almost 
perfect.”  Why,  also,  should  not  the  crown  of  martyrdom  encircle 
his  brow  ? lie  did  not,  indeed,  expire  under  the  axe,  or  in  the 
fire  of  persecution  ; but  he  counted  not  his  life  dear  unto  himself, 
and  sacrificed  it,  in  abundant  labours  and  courageous  exertions  in 
that  fatal  climate.  Two  have  gone  from  that  most  elevated  and 
interesting  missionary  station — Middleton  and  Heber  ; both  great 
and  good  ; both  perfectly  adapted  to  their  respective  work  ; the 
former,  by  his  firmness  and  sound  discretion  to  plant  the  church — 
the  latter,  by  his  ardour  to  nourish  it ; and  both  were  faithful  unto 
death.  A longer  deferred  termination  of  his  responsible  duties  we 
may  wish  for  their  successor,  Bishop  James,  but  a more  glorious 
one  we  cannot. 


3.  P.  1 3.  Within  the  limits  ordinarily  assigned  to  a sermon, it  would 
be  impossible  to  represent  with  any  effect  the  benefits  that  have  ac- 
tually been  derived  from  the  labours  of  foreign  missionaries.  Infor- 
mation upon  this  point  is,  however,  abundant  and  accessible.  The 
reports  of  missionary  societies  and  the  journals  of  missionaries, 
are  replete  with  interesting  accounts  of  the  influence  of  the  Gospel 
upon  the  characters  of  the  heathen,  purifying  their  conduct,  ele- 
vating their  minds,  opening  to  them  the  prospects  of  immortality, 
and  at  the  same  time  improving,  in  an  unspeakable  degree,  their 
temporal  comforts.  See  the  Journal  of  Stewart  at  the  Sandwich 
Isles,  the  Moravian  Reports  every  where,  any  number  of  the  Mis- 
sionary Herald,  and  the  Journal  of  Bishop  Heber,  which  we  trust 
will  soon  be  given  to  the  American  public. 

For  the  evidence  of  an  immense  amount  of  good  accomplished 
both  at  home  and  abroad,  and  for  an  illustration  of  the  manner  in 
which  the  Church  of  God  should  fulfil  its  appropriate  and  solemn 
duty  of  disseminating  the  Word  of  God,  see  the  reports  of  the  ve 


22 


nerable  and  most  excellent  Society  for  promoting  Christian  Know 
ledge. 

Since  writing  the  above,  I have  had  an  interesting  conversa- 
tion with  an  intelligent  captain  of  an  American  ship,  who  ar- 
rived here  but  a few  weeks  since,  from  the  Sandwich  Islands. — 
He  visited  these  Islands  twenty-seven  years  ago  for  the  first  time, 
and  has  since  been  there  as  frequently,  and  perhaps  more  so,  than 
any  captain  who  has  sailed  from  this  country.  The  account  he 
gives  me  of  the  improvement  of  the  natives,  is  most  satisfactory 
and  most  encouraging  to  future  exertions  in  their  favor.  When  he 
first  knew  them  they  were  barbarous,  half-naked,  ignorant,  grossly 
immoral  from  the  contaminating  intercourse  of  dissolute  foreigners, 
and  he  was  in  constant  fear  for  his  personal  safety  while  on  shore  ; 
now  they  are  decently  apparelled,  possess  a written  language  by 
which  they  hold  a perfect  and  easy  intercourse  ; the  arts,  and  even 
the  elegancies  of  civilization  are  introduced  among  them,  and  life 
and  property  and  commercial  intercourse  are  guarded  by  judicious 
laws  and  regulations.  This  great  change  has  been  accomplished 
within  a few  years,  and  he  attributes  it  entirely  to  the  beneficial  in- 
fluence of  the  religion  carried  there  by  the  missionaries. 

There  may  be  statements  of  an  onposite  nature  given  by  some 
persons.  But  can  we  not  easily  account  for  them  ? When  this 
gentleman  first  went  to  the  Sandwich  Islands,  a very  lucrative 
trade  was  carried  on  by  the  Europeans  and  Americans.  The  poor 
Indians,  in  their  ignorance,  would  barter  away  large  quantities  of 
sandal  wood,  and  other  commodities,  for  articles  of  the  smallest 
value.  At  present,  however,  they  are  so  much  improved  and  so 
well  instructed,  that  they  have  learned  the  relative  value  of  their 
own  productions  and  foreign  manufactures,  and  all  hopes  of  any 
thing  but  a fair  and  honourable  trade  are  done  away.  Now  are 
there  not  persons  in  the  world  selfish  enough,  and  unprincipled 
enough,  to  endeavour  to  discountenance  and  bring  into  disrepute 
any  system  which  has  interfered  with  their  contemptible  pecuniary 
interests  ? Contemptible  indeed,  when  put  in  competition  with 
the  intellectual  and  religious  improvement,  the  present  comfort 
and  future  happiness  of  thousands  of  immortal  creatures. 

The  intelligent  person  who  suggested  these  observations,  made 
one  other,  which  struck  me  as  of  the  utmost  importance  to  the 
quick  success  of  missions,  and  one  which,  I fear,  has  been  too  much 
neglected  by  our  missionary  boards — caution  to  be  exercised  in  the 
selection  of  judicious  and  well-instructed  missionaries.  It  is  adangc- 


*23 

rous  idea  and  one  which  should  at  once  be  discountenanced  by  all 
who  are  connected  with  missionary  operations,  that  a person,  who 
from  some  prominent  defect  in  manners,  or  from  dulness  of  mental 
powers,  is  unfitted  for  ministering  at  home,  may  do  very  well  for 
the  heathen  provided  he  has  zeal  and  piety. 

4.  Upon  the  Boards  and  Directors  of  Missionary  Societies,  it  is 
incumbt  nt,  &c.  page  15. 

In  the  essay  which  was  referred  to  in  note  1 and  which,  in  the 
memoirs  of  John  Urquhart,  vol.  i.  p.  81,  wdl  be  found  entitled  “Dr. 
Chalmers,  St.  Andrew’s  Missionary  Society,”  there  are  some  high- 
ly important  suggestions  upon  this  point.  Dr.  Chalmers,  as  there 
styled,  is  indeed  a Christian  philosopher.  The  course  he  pursued 
at  St.  Andrews,  is  worthy  of  imitation  in  all  our  colleges,  more 
especially  in  our  theological  seminaries.  To  collect  missionary 
intelligence  industriously,  to  arrange  it  judiciously,  and  to  draw  in- 
ferences from  it  logically,  and  thus  to  arrive  with  something  of  the 
certainty  of  science,  at  the  best  practical  means  of  disseminating 
the  Gospel,  is  certainly  an  object  deserving  the  attention  and  labours 
of  every  true  and  enlightened  Christian,  more  especially  of  those 
who  superintend  the  preparatory  studies  of  the  heralds  of  the  cross. 

5.  African  Mission  School,  page  16. — The  time  would  not  per- 
mit me  to  enlarge  upon  this  important  subject,  but  I refer  the  rea- 
der to  Section  IV.  of  an  admirable  little  volume,  Hints  on  Missions, 
by  James  Douglass,  Esq. — though  small  in  compass,  it  is  large 
even  to  sublimity  in  the  views  it  presents,  and  the  anticipations  it 
throws  out  concerning  the  kingdom  of  Christ  on  the  earth. 

6.  Greece  might  b^another  interesting  sphere  for  missionary 
labour.  With  the  fair  prospect,  and  almost  the  assurance  of  political 
independence, with  atrue  church  existing  there, although  decayed  and 
dilapidated  like  her  ancient  temples,  with  prepossessions  favourable 
to  this  country,  through  the  benevolent  interest  we  have  exhibited 
in  her  favour,  we  have  every  reason  to  believe,  that  judicious  and 
able  missionaries  sent  from  hence,  might  accomplish  much  in  re- 
animating the  spirit  of  true  religion  in  that  land,  dear  to  us  as  scho- 
lars by  its  classical  associations,  far  dearer  to  us  as  Christians  as 
the  scene  of  Paul’s  preaching  and  labours.  The  desolating  flood 
of  Mahometan  superstition  shall  be  rolled  back,  and  the  seven 
churches  of  Asia  will  emerge  from  it.  Wrould  that  it  might  be  the 


honourable  privilege  of  our  own  pure  and  apostolic  church,  to  aid 
in  removing  the  corruptions  that  have  gathered  upon  them,  and  in 
re-building  their  towers  and  strengthening  their  battlements,  and 
making  them  again  the  glory  of  the  east,  a praise  and  a name  unto 
the  ends  of  the  world  ! In  addition  to  our  exertions  in  favour  of 
Africa,  which  is  our  first  duty,  we  might,  if  we  had  true  zeal,  ac- 
complish something  in  this  cause.  One  or  two  able  and  learned 
and  pious  missionaries,  (for  they  must  be  eminent  in  all  these  quali- 
ties to  be  really  efficient,)  could  we  obtain  them,  might  move  the 
lukewarm,  and  animate  the  desponding  among  the  Greek  clergy, 
and  produce  an  intercourse  of  love  betw'een  two  sister  churches, 
having  the  common  bond  of  a primitive  ministry.  But  perhaps  the 
expression  of  such  anticipations  is  premature  ; we  may,  however, 
cherish  them  in  our  hearts  and  pray  for  their  speedy  accomplishment. 

In  bringing  these  notes  to  a conclusion,  I find  that  they  have 
swelled  far  beyond  my  expectation,  and  yet  I have  said  but  a small 
portion  of  what  is  present  to  my  thoughts.  The  subject  has  con- 
stantly opened  upon  me  since  I took  my  pen  to  write  upon  it,  and 
new  views  are  constantly  appearing  to  my  mind.  The  cause  of 
Foreign  Missions  now  seems  to  me  connected  in  the  most  intimate 
manner,  with  the  prosperity  of'  our  church  at  home.  I do  believe, 
that  in  no  way  can  we  so  effectually  subserve  our  own  ecclesiastical 
interests, — exciting  and  extending  among  ourselves  a pure  and 
self-denying  spirit  of  piety,  and  an  enlightened  and  ardent  attach- 
ment to  our  own  distinctive  principles,  as  by  planning  and  labouring, 
contributing  and  praying,  to  make  this  church  known  and  glorified, 
as  the  blessed  instrument  of  communicating  spiritual  knowledge 
and  spiritual  consolations  to  all  people  and  kindred  and  tongues 
that  dwell  on  all  the  face  of  the  earth.  Arouse  then,  fathers  and 
brethren,  ministers  and  people — as  we  are  a church  professing  pri- 
mitive faith  and  apostolic  discipline,  let  us  also  be  a church  exhi- 
biting primitive  zeal  and  apostolic  devotion  to  evangelizing  the 
world  ; and  may  Jesus  our  Lord  and  Saviour  be  with  us — he  hath 
promised  solemnly  and  faithfully  to  be  with  us  “ alway,  even  to  the 
end  ofthe  world,”  provided,  (and  let  us  all  well  remember  the  con- 
dition) provided  we  oo  forth  and  preach  tue  gospel  to  every 

CREATURE. 


